 | Mac OS X | Automation | AppleScript | AppleScriptObjC | Explored
'AppleScriptObjC Explored' This book is no longer available Note that the current edition of this book (5ed) covers Mavericks and Xcode 5. Although much of it is still applicable, there have been significant changes in Xcode, its project templates, and the OS since. In particular, some techniques used to force screen updates no longer work in El Capitan, and tables default to a new form that differs from that used in many examples in the book (although the older-style cell-based tables continue to work). Unfortunately updating the book is not feasible at this time, but some of the issues are addressed here: 'AppleScriptObjC Explored' Errata and Addenda. This is the definitive guide to building AppleScript-Cocoa applications in Xcode version 5 running under OS X 10.9 Mavericks. Mavericks introduces new syntax specifically for AppleScriptObjC projects, and the book and accompanying projects have been fully revised to cover this, as well as the important changes in Xcode 5. Better than ever Beginning with Mac OS X v10.6, AppleScript gained new powers through direct access to the abilities of Apple's Cocoa frameworks. For the first time, AppleScript-based applications could take advantage of the full suite of Cocoa application interface elements and tap directly into the power of Objective-C to call Cocoa methods, including those for manipulating text, images, windows, video, address and calendar databases, and much more. AppleScriptObjC Explored by Shane Stanley is the guide to building AppleScript Objective-C applications. It guides you step-by-step through the process of integrating the power of Cocoa into your AppleScript applications, demonstrating each concept and technique in fully editable and annotated example projects. Learn how to build document-based applications, to use WebKit to build your own simple browser, and techniques for keeping your interface responsive during time-consuming processes. Learn how to make project snapshots, how to perform shell scripts as separate tasks, how to swap views, and how to use images in tables. And brush up on trouble-shooting techniques. “Shane did a magnificent job of packing information and tutorials in a well-written book that is actually interesting to read. If you have any interest in AppleScriptObjC at all, then spend the $30 and get it.” —John C. Welch What other readers have said: Great book! Just bought my copy. Wow. I suspect your book will soon become the AppleScriptObjC bible! Your book is great. I was a former FaceSpan and AppleScript Studio user, but now I'm hooked. The style this is written in is just perfect! Now I'm excited about programming for the Mac again. Thank you! A huge thanks for your time and effort on the book. Already helped a heap. MAVERICKS CHANGES Read about the changes to AppleScriptObjC and Mavericks in Xcode projects. ERRATA AND ADDENDA Up-to-date errata and additions to this comprehensive publication. EVERYDAY APPLESCRIPTObjC Everyday AppleScriptObjC, Third Edition by Shane Stanley is the perfect introduction to AppleScriptObjC scripting in Mavericks and later. This new edition covers the changes introduced in El Capitan, and contains several new chapters. Learn how to use AppleScriptObjC directly in your scripts in El Capitan and Yosemite Learn how to write and deploy AppleScriptObjC-based script libraries in Mavericks and later Full of useful snippets of code Explains how to make sense of the Cocoa documentation Covers the main classes useful to scripters BRIDGEPLUS LIBRARY BridgePlus is a free script library for use under OS X 10.9 and later, designed to improve and simplify the use of AppleScriptObjC. Read more and download it here: BridgePlus Script Library. MYRIAD HELPERS These helper files can greatly simplify using some Cocoa classes. Read more and download them here: Myriad Helpers. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shane Stanley (center, in white) is a long-time AppleScript user and trainer from Melbourne, Australia. He has co-presented the AppleScript Pro Sessions training events in the US for the past 10 years, and specializes in automating workflows in the publishing industry. (photo by Björn Zitting) VIDEO: ACTIONS AND OULETS A video demonstrating the connection of application interface elements to their corresponding AppleScript function code using Interface Builder outlets and actions. More here.

'AppleScriptObjC Explored'

This book is no longer available

Note that the current edition of this book (5ed) covers Mavericks and Xcode 5. Although much of it is still applicable, there have been significant changes in Xcode, its project templates, and the OS since. In particular, some techniques used to force screen updates no longer work in El Capitan, and tables default to a new form that differs from that used in many examples in the book (although the older-style cell-based tables continue to work). Unfortunately updating the book is not feasible at this time, but some of the issues are addressed here: 'AppleScriptObjC Explored' Errata and Addenda.

This is the definitive guide to building AppleScript-Cocoa applications in Xcode version 5 running under OS X 10.9 Mavericks.

Mavericks introduces new syntax specifically for AppleScriptObjC projects, and the book and accompanying projects have been fully revised to cover this, as well as the important changes in Xcode 5.

Better than ever

Beginning with Mac OS X v10.6, AppleScript gained new powers through direct access to the abilities of Apple's Cocoa frameworks. For the first time, AppleScript-based applications could take advantage of the full suite of Cocoa application interface elements and tap directly into the power of Objective-C to call Cocoa methods, including those for manipulating text, images, windows, video, address and calendar databases, and much more.

AppleScriptObjC Explored by Shane Stanley is the guide to building AppleScript Objective-C applications. It guides you step-by-step through the process of integrating the power of Cocoa into your AppleScript applications, demonstrating each concept and technique in fully editable and annotated example projects.

Learn how to build document-based applications, to use WebKit to build your own simple browser, and techniques for keeping your interface responsive during time-consuming processes. Learn how to make project snapshots, how to perform shell scripts as separate tasks, how to swap views, and how to use images in tables. And brush up on trouble-shooting techniques.

“Shane did a magnificent job of packing information and tutorials
in a well-written book that is actually interesting to read. If you have
any interest in AppleScriptObjC at all, then spend the $30 and get it.”
—John C. Welch

What other readers have said:

Great book!

Just bought my copy. Wow.

I suspect your book will soon become the AppleScriptObjC bible!

Your book is great. I was a former FaceSpan and AppleScript Studio user, but now I'm hooked.

The style this is written in is just perfect!

Now I'm excited about programming for the Mac again. Thank you!

A huge thanks for your time and effort on the book. Already helped a heap.

MAVERICKS CHANGES

Read about the changes to AppleScriptObjC and Mavericks in Xcode projects.

ERRATA AND ADDENDA

Up-to-date errata and additions to this comprehensive publication.

EVERYDAY APPLESCRIPTObjC

Everyday AppleScriptObjC, Third Edition by Shane Stanley is the perfect introduction to AppleScriptObjC scripting in Mavericks and later. This new edition covers the changes introduced in El Capitan, and contains several new chapters.

Learn how to use AppleScriptObjC directly in your scripts in El Capitan and Yosemite
Learn how to write and deploy AppleScriptObjC-based script libraries in Mavericks and later
Full of useful snippets of code
Explains how to make sense of the Cocoa documentation
Covers the main classes useful to scripters

BRIDGEPLUS LIBRARY

BridgePlus is a free script library for use under OS X 10.9 and later, designed to improve and simplify the use of AppleScriptObjC. Read more and download it here: BridgePlus Script Library.

MYRIAD HELPERS

These helper files can greatly simplify using some Cocoa classes. Read more and download them here: Myriad Helpers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shane Stanley (center, in white) is a long-time AppleScript user and trainer from Melbourne, Australia. He has co-presented the AppleScript Pro Sessions training events in the US for the past 10 years, and specializes in automating workflows in the publishing industry. (photo by Björn Zitting)

VIDEO: ACTIONS AND OULETS

A video demonstrating the connection of application interface elements to their corresponding AppleScript function code using Interface Builder outlets and actions. More here.